Well. Now the Boogie Barge is in Ketchikan.
Yesterday’s update took a calculated gamble by announcing their arrival before they had technically done the arriving part. As it turns out, while that email was making its way through inboxes, Team Boogie Barge was still busy enduring what they would later describe as the HARDEST DAY of their race. The race humbles the racers. Sometimes it also humbles Race High Command.
Some wondered whether reaching Ketchikan meant we’d seen the last of the Boogie Barge. Captain Blake answered that question almost before it was asked: “No way. We need to CRUSH WA360.”
Good.
The day’s second and final finish belonged to Norn to Be Wild, racing aboard the Santa Cruz 27 Norn. They rang the bell and then launched into a modern version of Ahab’s drink-out-of-the-harpoon scene. Each sailor removed an Xtratuf boot, poured in a dose of cheap champagne, and drank deeply from a vintage best described as “notes of victory, with a lingering finish of foot.”
Meanwhile, Cape Caution continues to behave exactly as advertised.
We’ve heard from three of the five paddler/rowers currently pinned to Cape Caution—because these days rowboats have Starlink sometimes. Lillian Signed Notes About a Suffering Bear (still working on the team name combo) are in amazing spirits considering the absolute thrashing they took attempting to round the Cape (twice). The words “dangerous” and “terrifying” came up in the conversation more than once—but through a ton of smiles and laughs. It is very clear that these three are glad to be together.
Then this morning, at exactly 9:54 a.m., we got something almost guaranteed to irritate the highly competitive among you: a tie.
Ménage à Deux and Ship of Brothers crossed the finish line at exactly the same recorded time (yeah, one was technically in front of the other, but both agreed to the draw), becoming not only co-finishers but also the first Olson 25s ever to complete the Race to Alaska. Last night Ménage held a clear lead, but a short time at anchor erased the advantage, turning the final miles into either a proper tacking battle or two boats happily sailing in company, depending on which version tickles your fancy.
Now we get a brief pause. Sea Peas, yet another Olson 25, sits about 85 miles from Ketchikan as we write this, with Jackalope (Halfalope) close enough behind to keep things interesting.
Enjoy the lull while it lasts. The finish bell has developed a taste for ringing.
Header photo by Elleyna Thompson | Video by Garret Weintrob